A 70-year-old female presents to the emergency department through triage with a noticeable facial droop and garbled speech. After having a few drinks at a local seafood restaurant, the client’s husband noticed his wife’s speech became difficult to understand.
Flow sheets
1915
Arrival at emergency department
1920
Vital Signs:
- Temperature: 98.2° F (36.8° C)
- Heart rate: 92 beats/minute
- Respirations: 24 breaths/minute
- Blood pressure: 210/98 mmHg
- Oxygen saturation: 95% on room air
Imaging studies
1935
Head CT scan results:
- No evidence of intracranial hemorrhage
- No evidence of acute disease
Orders
- Obtain CT scan of the head.
- Insert a large bore peripheral IV.
- Start normal saline infusion at 50 mL/hour.
The nurse administered tPA and conducted neurologic assessments every 15 minutes during the infusion.
The tPA infusion finished and the nurse performed neurologic assessments every 30 minutes for the 6 hours following the administration.
The client was noted to be stable with unchanged neurologic assessments.
The nurse begins to plan care for the client’s recovery and identifies interdisciplinary team members who can assist with the client’s recovery.
Select the interdisciplinary team members who should assist the client in recovery.
A.
Occupational Therapist
B.
Speech Therapist
C.
Case manager
D.
Physical therapist
E.
Chief Nursing Officer
The correct answer and Explanation is :
For the recovery of a 70-year-old female who has experienced an acute neurological event likely consistent with a stroke, the interdisciplinary team members who should assist in her recovery include:
A. Occupational Therapist
B. Speech Therapist
D. Physical Therapist
C. Case Manager
Explanation:
- Occupational Therapist (A): An occupational therapist plays a critical role in helping clients regain the skills needed for daily living activities. Following a stroke, patients may have difficulty with basic self-care tasks, and an occupational therapist can assess and tailor interventions to enhance independence and improve the quality of life.
- Speech Therapist (B): Given that the client presented with garbled speech, a speech therapist is essential in assessing and treating communication disorders. They can provide therapy for aphasia (language difficulties) or dysarthria (slurred speech), helping the patient regain her ability to communicate effectively.
- Physical Therapist (D): A physical therapist will evaluate and help restore mobility and strength. After a stroke, patients often experience weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. The physical therapist will design a rehabilitation program to improve strength, coordination, and balance, promoting safe ambulation and functional mobility.
- Case Manager (C): A case manager is crucial in coordinating care among the various team members and ensuring that the patient has access to necessary resources and support services. They facilitate communication between the healthcare team, the patient, and the family, ensuring a smooth transition from the hospital to home or rehabilitation facilities.
Chief Nursing Officer (E) would not be directly involved in the patient’s recovery plan, as this role typically focuses on administrative and leadership responsibilities rather than direct patient care.
In summary, an effective interdisciplinary approach involving occupational, speech, and physical therapists, alongside a case manager, is essential for the holistic recovery of the patient following a stroke.